Clamp-buckle or fastener for bale-ties or the like.



No. 707,034. Patented Aug. |2,'|902.

w. n. STUBGISS.

CLAMP BUCKLE 0B FASTENEB FORBALE TIES OR THE LIKE.

(No Model.) (Appmmn JESQ /r 11%.?

IVILBUR R. STURGISS, OF CONWAY, ARKANSAS.

CLAMP-BUCKLE OR FASTENER FOR BALE-TIESOR THE LIKE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 707,034, datd August 12, 1902. Application tiled March 24, 1902. Serial No. 99,669. (NoinodeL) To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILBIIR R. STURGISS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Conway, in the county of Faulkner and State of Arkansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clamp-Buckles or Fasteners for Bale-Ties or the Like, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved clamp-buckle or fastener for baleties and the like, and comprises a rectangular base or support and two slides mounted therein in such relation that when the ends of the tie or band are passed through the respective slides and drawn taut the said ends are securely clamped between the slides and the ends of the frame, and when thus clamped any further strain on the band or tie, due, for example, to the expansion of the bale, serves to increase the pressure between the slide and the base, and thereby bind'the tie ends more effectually. Aslightmovementof either slide toward the middle of the base instantly releases the band or tie, so that it may be removed or readjusted with the greatest facility.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective View of the buckle in operative or clamping engagement with the ends of the tie or band. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the buckle with a single slide, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the slide.

Referring to the several views, the base or support consists of an open rectangular frame formed of two side bars 1 1, which are connected by end bars 2 2. The side bars 1 are made somewhat thicker than the end bars 2 and are each provided with a longitudinal groove 3 along the inner edge, which groove extends throughout the length of the side bar between the end bars. The grooves 3 3 serve to retain and guide two slides 5 5, each having a slot6 in one side and an open center bounded by straight edges on three sides and two meeting inclined edges on the fourth,

side. These slides 5, which fit snugly in the grooves 3, normally occupy the ends of the base orsupport, having a free space between them in the center of the base. Said slides may be placed in position in the base by passing them separately through a slot 4 in the reaches S.

edge of one side bar until the edge of said slide occupies the groove in the opposite bar and then advancing said slide along both grooves until it clears the slot 4:. Said slot 4 is just vwide enough to pass the slide, so that the dangerofthe latter slipping out of the grooves accidentally is minimized.

In applying my invention to its intended use the ends of the tie or band 8 are passed through the open centers of the respective slides, 5, with the lower reaches 8 of said band or tie between the end bars 2 and the upper The band is passed about'the bale or package, and the free ends of said hand are pulled in opposite directions and away from the buckle, with the result that the band is drawn tightly about the bale and the respective slides 5 are forced against the end bars 2 of the base, firmly clamping the lower reaches 8 of the band between the forward edges of said slides and the inner edges of said end bars. It is to be particularly noted that the strain on the tie or band surrounding the bale serves to hold the slides against end bars of the base, and any increase in the tension of the tie serves to correspondingly increase the pressure between the slides and the end bars, and thereby to clamp the tie against slipping to a degree commensurate with the pulling strain tending to cause it to slip. In other words, the heavier the slipping strain on the band the stronger the binding action of the buckle becomes, and any tendency of the bale to expand increases the security of the connection between the band and the buckle. It is perfectly obvious that one end of the band or tie may be fastened to the bar or .end of the rectangular base, leaving the other end of the band or tie to be fastened to a slide, as described. In using the buckle or fastener in this way but one slide is necessary.

In order to loosen or free the band or tie from the bale, it is only necessary to move one of the slides inward on the base and out of engagement with its cooperating end bar, when the band will slip freely through the open center of the slide until the tension on said band is relieved.

The slot 6 in the slide permits of the ready insertion and removal of the band, which is accomplished by passing the latter edgewise through said slot and then turning it down,

so that it lies fiat against the inner edge of the slide, as clearly shownin Fig. 1. I This feature of construction and operation is of peculiar importance where the bands are employed in rolls or bundles and are not cut until they are securely bound about the bale.

The inclines 7 at the end of the opening in the slide serve to keep the band in the middle of the slide, thereby destributing the strain evenly upon the slide and the base.

Although I have described my invention as applied to bale ties or hands, it is to be understood that it is not limited to such use, as it is equally efficient in operation for securing the ends of cords, ropes, or bands when the latter are subjected to tensional strain.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. A clamp or buckle for bale-ties and the like, comprising a rectangular base having an open center and grooved inner edges, and an open centered slide operating in said grooves and serving to receive the looped end of the tie and bind the free end thereof against having grooves in its opposite inner edges and a pair of open slides operating in said grooves and serving to bind the free ends of a tie, which are looped through their respective centers, against the ends of the base.

3. A buckle or clamp for bale-ties and the like, comprising a base formed of side bars 1, each provided with a groove, 3, on its inner edge, and end bars, 2, connecting said side bars, and two flat rectangular, open-centered slides, 5, operating between said side bars and engaging said grooves, said slides serving to bind the free ends of a tie, which are looped through their centers, against the ends of the base.

WILBUR R. STURGISS.

Witnesses:

C. E. DURHAM, J. R. DONNELL. 

